LP 40 for 40 – Jerri Garison

The Plano Chamber of Commerce’s signature program, Leadership Plano, celebrates its 40^th anniversary! For the past 40 years, Leadership Plano has been dedicated to educating, developing, and empowering current and future leaders for the community and motivating them to serve civic, charitable, and business organizations.

We are celebrating the impact of the past 40 years by spotlighting 40 Leadership Plano graduates who have paved the way for future generations, created meaningful change for the community, and continue to serve in leadership roles. This celebratory series, Leadership Plano 40 for 40, is Presented by UBS – The Kravitz Group.

Introducing our next spotlight, Leadership Plano Class 27 Graduate, Jerri Garison, President of Baylor Scott & White Health – East Region and President of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano. In her role, Jerri leads Baylor Scott & White – Plano while also coordinating five additional hospitals including Baylor Scott & White – McKinney, Baylor Scott & White – Lake Pointe, Baylor Scott & White – Centennial and The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano and Denton. She is also responsible for collaboration among the respective Joint Venture business entities within her geographic region and assists with facility growth and development, standardizing services, developing strategic initiatives, physician growth and development, stewardship, and quality improvement.

Jerri received her B.S. in Nursing and a Master’s in Health Administration from the Medical College of Virginia. She currently serves as the Chair of the North Texas Food Bank Board of Trustees and is a member of the Baylor Scott & White Sports Surgery Center at The Star Board of Trustees and the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation Board of Trustees. She attends the Baylor Scott & White – Frisco Board of Trustees, the Baylor Scott & White – Lake Pointe Board of Trustees, the Baylor Scott & White – Centennial Board of Trustees, the Baylor Scott & White – McKinney Board of Trustees, and The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano Board of Trustees. She formerly served on the Regional Policy Board for the American Hospital Association, the Plano Chamber of Commerce Board, and the Collin College Foundation and completed the Leadership Plano Class 27.

Jerri has four grown children, including twin daughters, and six grandchildren

1. What first made you interested in participating in Leadership Plano?

I joined Leadership Plano to learn more about the City.  Although I have lived in Collin County for many years, there were so many things in Plano I did not know about.

2. What is the most memorable part of your experience (or what is something that was happening in Plano that you remember about that year)?

I think the most memorable part of the experience was the Ropes course and getting to know all the other classmates.  It was such a great group of people with so many different backgrounds.

3. Why do you think LP is so impactful for our community?

I think Leadership Plano is so impactful because it not only exposes you to other parts of the City but also may motivate you to get involved in other areas of the city that you didn’t even know existed.

4. What is one thing you can attribute to LP that is a success in your life or career?

I think the one thing that I can attribute to Leadership Plano would be the many connections I have made over the years.  It was so great to meet and hear from City Leaders, other organizations that I didn’t even know existed and to be so proud of our City!

5. If your class had a class project, what was it and why was it important?

I know every class from the beginning of the program says they were the “Best Class Ever”.  I just think it shows the bonding, relationships built, and the accomplishments of their projects in the class.  However, we were the “Best Class Ever”!